Almost There Trivia Quiz

Answer: 2016

The Indians clinched the American League Central division and ran through the American League in only eight games, sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the Division Series. The Indians jumped out to a 3-1 series lead, but were unable to win any of the next three games for the title.

The main reason for this was thought to be simply exhaustion on the part of the Cleveland starting pitching. Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco were forced to pitch on short rest, because of a freak accident with a drone, which injured Trevor Bauer's pitching hand. With Bauer sidelined, and no real additional starting pitching help, the Tribe's starters just ran out of gas, and the Cubs were able to take advantage.

Answer: 2017

Cleveland ended the regular season in 2017 with the best record in the American League at 102-60. After clinching the division by 17 games, the Indians took a 2-0 series lead over the New York Yankees in the Division Series. New York went on to win the ALDS by winning the next three games, but lost to the Houston Astros in seven games in the Championship Series, despite leading that series 3-2.

Answer: 1995

The 1995 season started with a players strike that delayed the start of the season by nearly 20 games. The Indians finished with a record of 100-44, the best record in the Majors that season. The Tribe swept the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS 3-0, and finished the ALCS with a 4-2 series win over the Seattle Mariners.

In a rematch of the 1948 World Series, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Indians 4-2.

Answer: 2007

After another AL Central title for the Cleveland Indians in 2007, they faced off against the Yankees in the Division Series. The Tribe finished off New York in 4 games to reach the ALCS. After falling to the Red Sox in the first game of the ALCS, Cleveland rattled off three straight wins to push Boston to the brink of elimination. Cleveland was once again, unable to finish the series, losing the next three. Boston would go on to sweep the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

Answer: 2013

The 2013 season saw the Indians finish second in the Central division, one game behind the Detroit Tigers. Their 92-70 record was good enough to claim the top Wild Card spot, allowing them to host the one game Wild Card with the Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately for Cleveland they could not really get anything going against the Rays, and fell 4-0.

Answer: 2020

The 2020 season was an unprecedented season, as was everything that year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was played in a 60 game shortened season, with the Tribe finishing second in the division, one game behind the Minnesota Twins. With the shortened season, the Wild Card was played as a best-of-three series. Cleveland ace Shane Bieber was the American League Cy Young winner, the only bright spot after the Tribe fell 2-0 to the New York Yankees.

Answer: 1997

In the decisive game seven of the 1997 World Series, the Indians took a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning. In one of the most heart-wrenching moments in Cleveland sports history, the Indians stalwart closer, Jose Mesa, was unable to complete the save, allowing the Marlins to tie the game and send game seven to extra innings. The Marlins would win in walk off fashion in the 11th inning.

Answer: 2022

The first season under the Cleveland Guardians name was not expected to be a successful season. Many baseball writers and experts predicted the Guardians would finish last in the AL Central. Cleveland had the youngest team in baseball, and finished at the bottom of the Majors in home runs.

Despite this, the Guardians did the unthinkable, not only winning the central division by 11 games, but also defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card series, and pushing the power heavy New York Yankees all the way to game 5 of the ALDS. Cleveland finished the season with 4 Gold Glove award winners, the American League Manager of the Year, and several other post season awards.

Answer: 2018

In 2018, the Indians were the only team in the AL Central to finish with a winning record, 20 games over the .500 mark, and running away with the division by 13 games. They entered the ALDS against the Houston Astros, who won the AL West with a record of 103-59. The Astros superior record showed itself in decisive fashion, with the Indians unable to win even a single game in the series.

Answer: 2001

The highlight of the 2001 season for the Cleveland Indians was their game on August 5, against the Seattle Mariners, who were the best team in baseball that season. Down 12 runs in the seventh inning, Cleveland stormed back to tie the game and force extra innings, ultimately winning that game in the 11th. Hailed the "Impossible Return," that comeback was one of the biggest in Cleveland baseball history.

Despite the improbable loss, the Mariners finished the season with 116 wins, by far the most in baseball that year.

The Indians would win the AL Central by six games, but fell to Seattle in the ALDS 3-2.